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"For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing."
(2nd Corinthians 10:10)
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Robert Bruce Sikes
Biographical Sketch
Bruce has a diverse background, from former Federal Police Officer to nationally recognized Fencing Instructor and Ordained Minister.
As a U.S. Fencing Certified Instructor, Bruce has been trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.. He has taught and fenced in Europe, Asia and throughout the U.S..
Bruce is president & founder of Christian Fencers Association, whose major focus is to conduct free fencing camps for disadvantaged youth. In 2002 & 2007, he conducted camps in Calcutta, India for young men in a Drug Rehabilitation Program including local youth. Both in 2003 & 2004, Bruce conducted fencing camps for disadvantaged youth in East Belfast Northern Ireland and for young men & women at Keszthely College, Hungary.
For over ten years, Bruce has served as St. Louis Division Chairman for the U.S. Fencing Association and has been Midwest Sectional Chairman. He is the Coach of Washington University Fencing Club and Academy Fencing Club, both are in St. Louis.
Not only a coach, Bruce actively competes in U.S. and international tournaments. In 2007, Bruce qualified for the U.S. Men’s Saber Team for the World Veterans Championships in Sydney, Australia. He earned a Bronze Medal in Vet’s Saber in July of 2005 at the U.S. National Championships in Sacramento, California. In June of 2004, Bruce was the Gold Medal Winner in Saber at the 2004 International Carrickfergus Castle Fencing Tournament in Belfast, Northern Ireland and interviewed by BBC television.
Bruce has received numerous awards and honors for public service, including recognition at the 2000 "Lifetime Commitment to the Sport of Fencing Award" ceremonies in Austin, Texas and received the R.F. Time's 2000 Annual "The Best of St. Louis Award" for his fencing classes. His fencing endeavors are frequently featured on local T.V. and newspapers. In 2007, author Bob Swope dedicated his new book, “Learning About Fencing” to Bruce citing, “…his energy, patience, and inspiration in teaching fencing to young kids and adults within a safe environment of mutual respect and self discipline.”
During his Law Enforcement career, Bruce earned a degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, through Southwestern Illinois University, Belleville, Illinois. He has worked as a lead Police Dispatcher and received a Superior Performance Award while employed as a Federal Police Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis.
Bruce also holds a Bachelor's Degree Liberal Arts from Missouri Baptist University, and did Master's work through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Prior to and during his early years at college, Bruce served in the U.S.A.F.'s Civil Air Patrol, having held the position of 1st Lieutenant and Cadet Squadron Commander in an Illinois Squadron. While in the C.A.P., Bruce was trained in search and rescue and earned his Solo Pilot Flight Wings at Chanute A.F.B./Coles Co. A.P. Illinois.
Bruce is an experiened traveler and enjoys diverse cultural experiences. Some of his travel highlights have included; camel riding in the Sahara Desert and sleeping in Nomad tents in Morocco, visiting Mother Theresa's home in Calcutta, India, hiking the Highland Mountains of Scotland, visiting the Tunnels in the Rock of Gibraltar, swimming in underwater caves of Ontario, flying over Kabul, Afghanistan from Delhi to Moscow in 2002, as well as visiting many cities from London, Paris, Budapest, Granada, Casablanca, Moscow, Delhi, Monte Carlo to Malta.
As a student of world and military history, Bruce regularly visits historical castles, forts, and battlefields, including military museums and collections throughout the world. He presents lectures on historical period dress, culture and weapons to the public. He is founder of a living history group in St. Louis called "The Black Knights". His interests also include historical and contemporary advanced military aircraft, having flown in Vietnam era Hueys and operated Apache simulators.
As an Ordained Minister, Bruce has served churches as Education Director and in the areas of Church Growth, Youth, and Outreach. As a Church Planter, he started two inner-city churches, having been interviewed in 1996 by Time Magazine for his mission work. Bruce currently serves bi-vocationally as an Associate Pastor in St. Louis where he teaches classes, does public speaking, counseling, and writing. Particular areas of interest for him are Church and State issues.
Bruce resides with his wife Pam in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A..
Bruce Sikes
St. Louis, Mo. U.S.A.
Phone: 314-918-7560
Email: BruceSikes@aol.com
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